Inclubabu Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

Ploydsge just watch it!

Twilightfa Watch something else. There are very few redeeming qualities to this film.

Cooktopi The acting in this movie is really good.

Predrag This film is the ultimate Christmas film and granted to put you deep into the Christmas spirit, as you ask yourself whether or not you believe in Santa Clause. The story-line deals with the belief in Santa Claus, but it is handled very well, so there is no danger that your kids will stop believing in Santa Claus after watching this movie, I would say just the opposite. It is so well written that the story is believable without the need for magic or hocus pocus. It is a remake of the classic film but with brilliant actors such as Richard Attenborough as Kris Kringle. When Dorey Walker (Elizabeth Perkins) hires a seemingly insignificant elderly gentleman (Kris Kringle) to be their Cole's Santa she has no idea of the success it would bring Cole's. Just as every thing in life is peachy, Cole's rivals decide to discredit Santa by framing him. When it goes to court to decide weather Kris Kringle is a nut case as he believes he is Santa it is up to the judge to decide if Santa Clause is real, challenging all that is good and pure about Christmas.There are scenes that make you laugh, and scenes where tissues are needed. Romantic sparks also fly across the screen, which is an added bonus. I know the acting is contrived and the actors merely walk-through the film, but that doesn't matter. I think the director wanted the film to resemble a remake of the original with the idea of the classic American feel. The guy is far too good looking and the woman always glamorously made up, which adds this massive dollop of American schmaltz to the proceedings. The only things that stood out were an Elizabeth Perkins's performance, she was great in the role of a mother, and Richard Attenborough plays the part of Chris Kringle so well, it's like he was made for the part! Overall, though a great story-line based on the original film, lots of magical moments. A great family film.Overall rating: 7 out of 10.

FilmBuff1994 Miracle on 34th Street is a good movie with a reasonably well developed plot and a great cast. It is a very sweet, heartfelt Christmas movie on which we follow a ton of controversy erupt after a man claims to be Santa Claus. Richard Attenborough shines as Kris Kringle himself, embodying the role significantly, he is quite possibly one of the most believable of any movie Santas, feeling close to the real thing, he was just as good, if not better, than Edmund Gwenn. In comparison to the original 1947 film, it simply is not as good, even John Hughes' writing presence could not help that. The magic and the Christmas atmosphere feels a lot more forced here, as newer movies simply are less subtle about getting a message across, and everything is very in your face here. Santa Claus is also not nearly as much developed as a character here, he is well established and his personality is brought tremendously in the original, however, he is a lot more two dimensional here. I not blaming Attenborough, but the writers for only giving the character cliché Santa dialogue.It shows that remakes always try too hard to be bigger and better than the original, which is often their biggest downfall. While its certainly flawed, the Christmas spirit is alive and well here, I would recommend Miracle on 34th Street to anyone looking for a good movie for the whole family to enjoy. A man who claims he is the real Santa Claus is forced to prove it in court. Best Performance: Richard Attenborough

NateWatchesCoolMovies I haven't yet seen the original Miracle On 34th Street film, so until then I'll focus on Les Mayfield's pristine 1994 update. It's a warmhearted delight of a piece, painted in bold, kindly strokes and starring Richard Attenborough in a wonderful, childlike, good natured yet vulnerable performance as Kris Kringle, and elderly gent living in New York City who is convinced that he is really Father Christmas. Like.. for real. Little Susan Walker (Mara Wilson) believes and befriends him. Wilson was a child actress staple in the 90's, also making adorable impressions in Matilda and Mrs. Doubtfire. She's precious here, full of wonder and blooming compassion that's kindled by spirited Kringle. Her mother (Elizabeth Perkins) is in charge of the Macy's Christmas parade and when the drunken Santa she's hired acts a damn fool and is fired, Kringle steps up to the plate. He's a hit, and when word gets out of his belief in himself as the real Santa, controversy stirs, in trademark obnoxious New York fashion. And so a media hooplah leads to a hysterical court case to prove whether Kringle is the real deal. He's defended by compassionate lawyer Dylan McDermott and prosecuted by a smarmy J.T. Walsh, always welcome. There's also work from James Remar as corrupt hoodlum Jack Duff who has a hilarious turn of faith near the end, Robert Prosky as New York's crankiest judg, and appearances from Jennifer Morrison, Jane Leeves, Allison Janney, Mary Mckormack, Jack Mcgee and Joss Ackland. The film comes out a winner thanks to Wilson and especially Attenborough, who plays Kringle with a frank naivety and beaming soul, qualities which everyone hopes and expects to see in Father Christmas, should he really be out there somewhere.

yerwan1 Dylan McDermott (Mr. Gailey), Richard Attenborough (Kris Kringle), and Mara Wilson (the girl) are fine, but Elizabeth Perkins is miserable as Mrs. Walker, the girl's mom. She mumbles her lines with no intensity or feeling. Also, in the original there were some dramatic twists that were interesting and advanced the plot; here, all the twists are planned ahead of time and telegraphed to the audience. I liked the Walker girl watching the parade out of Mr. Gailey's window -- all the floats were (in color!) right there. And, Dylan McDermott does his best to be an engaging boyfriend wannabe, and Richard Attenborough tries to be a charismatic Santa, but the movie really falls flat with poor writing, poor acting by Elizabeth Perkins, and probably poor pacing, staging, and dramatic narrative by the director. Take a pass on this faux remake and go back to the original with great actors like Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O'Hara, and Natalie Wood, and a narrative that was actually dramati, real, and interesting.